Tamper-proof closure

ABSTRACT

A tamper-proof closure is disclosed which includes an integrally formed top and lid. The top and the lid are initially connected together by a severable member and by cooperating bearing and trunnion means in such a manner that the lid closes off a dispensing opening in the top. The severable member is capable of being broken so that thereafter the lid may be rotated with respect to the top between open and closed positions.

United States Patent Hazard [451 Mar. 28, 1972 [s41 TAMPER-PROOF CLOSURE2,793,795 5/1957 Wilson et a1 ..222/536 [72] Inventor: Robert E. Hazard,North Kingstown, R.l. Primary Examiner aeorge T Hall [73] Assignee:Polytop Corporation, Siatersville, R.1. Attomey-Edward D. O'BrienAPPI'NO': A tamper-proof closure is disclosed which includes anintegrally formed top and lid. The top and the lid are initially [52]US. Cl. ..222/153, 215/42, 220/27, C nnected together by a severabiemember and by cooperat- 220/315 in; bearing and trunnion means in such amanner that the lid [51] lnt.CI. ..B67b 5/00, 867d 5/32 6 0868 Off adispensing opening in the top. The severable [58] Field of Search..220/38.5, 27, 31 S, 31 R; member is capable of being broken so thatthereafter the lid 215/7, 41,42, 46; 222/541, 517, 153, 536 may berotated with respect to the top between open and closed positions. [56]References Cited 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS v va H we e .7

3/ s shi ".7:-:1"":"t::'fl?%t 25 s PATENTEDMAR28|912 3,651,992

SHEET 2 BF 2 MIME/V701? ROBERT E HAZARD EDWARD D. OER/AN A 7'7'0ENE)TAMPER-PROOF CLOSURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many closures for bottles and other relatedcontainers are constructed in such a manner that it is impossible for acustomer of goods sold in such a container to determine whether or notthe container has previously been opened. A number of different types ofstructures have been developed for the purpose of indicating to theultimate user or customer whether or not a container has been opened. Itis considered that it would be impractical to attempt to discuss in thisspecification all of the different types of structures for this purposewhich have been developed and used.

It is also considered that there is a need for new and improvedtamper-proof closures which show whether or not these closures havepreviously been opened and closed. In this field there is a need forclosures of this type which may be easily and conveniently installed onexisting containers at comparatively nominal cost, which are relativelyinexpensive to manufacture and which are easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide new and improved tamper-proof closures which satisfy theseneeds. Thus, objectives of this invention are to provide tamper-proofclosures which can be manufactured for a comparatively nominal cost,which can be easily and conveniently installed on conventionalcontainers in established manner, which may be easily opened when usedand which provide a clear-cut indication as to the prior use of theseclosures.

In accordance with this invention these objectives are achieved byproviding tamper-proof closures, each of which includes a closure topand a lid formed integrally with one another. The top includes meansadapted to connect the closure to an appropriate container and adispensing opening. As formed the top and the lid are connected by adeformable or flexible web so that the lid may be moved with respect tothe top in order to engage cooperating bearing and trunnion means on thelid and the top. When such means are engaged, a severable areaconnecting the lid and the top may thereafter be broken by rotating thelid and thereafter the lid may be pivoted between open and closedpositions exposing and covering said dispensing opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The actual details of this invention,as well as the manners in which the invention achieves the foregoing andrelated objectives will be apparent from a detailed consideration of theremainder of this specification, the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment or form of a tamper-proofclosure of this invention, part of the lid of this closure being brokenaway so as to permit the illustration of portions of the closure top ofthis closure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the closure illustrated in the precedingfigure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 with the lid ofthe closure in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the lidand closure top of the closure shown in FIG. 1. These parts appear incross section after they have been formed by known techniques, but priorto the lid and closure top portions of this closure being assembled inan operative position;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a presently preferred embodiment or form ofa tamper-proof closure of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the closure illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the lidof the closure in an open position; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing thelid and closure top of the closure shown in FIG. 6 as these parts appearin cross-section after they have been formed by known techniques, butprior to the lid and closure top portions of the closure being assembledin an operative position.

The accompanying drawings are primarily intended to illustrate forexplanatory purposes presently preferred embodiments or forms of atamper-proof closure of this invention. Through the exercise of routineengineering skill it is possible to utilize the inventive features ofthe particular tamper-proof closures illustrated in other differentlyappearing closures which utilize the same mode or method of constructionor operation as the illustrated closures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT in FIGS. 1 to 5 of thedrawings there is shown a complete tamper-proof closure 10 of thepresent invention which includes a closure top 12 and a lid 14. Theentire closure 10 is preferably formed out of a conventionalthermoplastic material as an integral unit as indicated in FIG. 5 of thedrawing by modern injection molding techniques. Such material shouldhave the property of being comparatively rigid when present in acomparatively thick member, should be somewhat resilient and should havethe property of being flexible and frangible when present inan area ormember of comparatively thin dimension. Common polyolefins,- such as lowdensity polyethylene, are considered to be particularly suitable for usein the formation of this closure 10.

The top 12 in the complete closure 10 includes a dependent outerperipheral skirt l6 and a connective interdependent peripheral skirt 18.These skirts l6 and 18 are preferably provided with conventional ridges20 used in holding them with respect to the neck of a container and usedso that a seal is formed with respect to such a neck. Because of theirfunction, the skirts l6 and 18 may be regarded as means for attachingthe top 12 to a container. Other equivalent means as are known to theart may be employed.

The top 12 carries what may be regarded as a spout 22 having adispensing opening 24 located therein. It will be noted that thisopening 24 leads from the interior of the skirt 18 at the under surfaceof the top 12 to the outer surface of the top 12. At this outer surface,a short wall 26 formed at the end of the spout 22 partially overlays theopening 24. This wall 26 will serve to direct material passing throughthe opening 24 towards the left hand side of the closure 10 as thisclosure is viewed in all of the figures of the drawing.

The top 12 carries an attached, extending flange 28 having a straightedge 30 attached to a corresponding edge 32 of the lid 14 by means of asmall, comparatively thin flexible web 34. In effect this web 34 is apart of the flange 28. This flange 28 also includes a hole 36 spacedfrom the principal portion of the top 12 and the skirt 16 acomparatively short distance and a line of holes 37 in the nature ofperforations along the exterior of the skirt 16. These holes 37 shouldbe so numerous and so closely spaced as to easily permit the flange 28to be severed along them.

The web 34 should be sufficiently thin so that it can be flexed degreeswithout difficulty and without breaking. It should be sufficiently thickso that it will permit the flow of polymeric material during injectionmolding operations. The precise thickness of the web 34 will varydepending upon the properties of the particular material used inconstructing the closure 10.

The web 34 permits the lid 14 to be folded about the flange 28 so thatthe lid 14 can be moved a position as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings from a position as shown in FIG. 5. In such position as shownin FIG. 1 aligned cylindrical trunnions 38 on the extremity of the lid14 remote from the wall 34 are located in bearing openings 40 havingrestricted entrances 42. Such bearing openings 40 and their entrances 42are formed integrally with the top 12 on a portion of this top remotefrom the web 34. It will be realized that as molded, the axes of thetrunnions 38 and the bearing openings 40 are parallel to one another andto the web 34, and that the distance between these axes and the web 34are equal.

The structures of the trunnions 38 and the bearing openings 40 aredesigned to serve the same function as the trunnions and bearings shownin the Wilson et al. US. Pat. 2,793,795. These are constructed so thatthey can be popped into an engaged position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2during the described folding of the lid 14. These trunnions 38 and thebearing openings 40 may be considered as cooperating bearing-trunnionunits. Since their function is to permit rotation during the use of theclosure 10 it will be apparent that bearing means may be located on thelid 14 and that cooperating trunnion means may be located on the top 12.

The lid 14 also includes a sealing boss 44 having an internal sealinggroove 46 which is adapted to fit over and engage the end of the spout22 when the lid 14 is attached as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings. This structure of the boss 44 and the groove 46 is designed toform a seal with respect to the opening 24. The lid 14 also preferablyincludes a small-headed projection 48 which is adapted to be forcedthrough the hole 36 in order to secure the lid 14 to the flange 28. Thislid 14 may also include a grooved lip 50 which is adapted to be snappedinto engagement with a complimentary shaped grooved lip 52 on the top 12when this lid 14 is secured in place as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The utilization of the complete closure is relatively simple. As thisclosure is manufactured, the various parts will have positions asindicated in FIG. of the drawing. In order to assemble the closure foruse, the lid is pivoted about the web 34 over the upper surface of thetop 14. As such pivoting of the lid 14 occurs, the trunnions 38 andbearing openings 40 will come into proximity to one another and thesetrunnions 38 are snapped into the bearing openings 40 through therestricted entrances 42 through the application of moderate pressure. Assuch pivoting occurs the projection 48 will be popped through the hole36. When the trunnions 38 are so positioned the spout 22 and the wall 26will fit into the groove 46 in the boss 44 so that the opening 24 issealed off. At this point the complete closure 10 will appear asindicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing and will be ready forinstallation.

The closure 10 may be installed on appropriate container in aconventional manner and then then container may be shipped to where itwill be sold or used. At the initial use of the closure 10, upwardpressure will be applied to the flange 28. At this time the flange 28will break off along the holes 37 which are in the nature ofperforations. As this occurs the broken-off portion of the flange 28will be carried upward with the lid 24 because of the engagement of theprojection 48 in the hole 36. As the lid 14 is rotated in this manner,the spout 22 will of course be uncovered. Normally the lid 14 is rotatedto a position as indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In such a positionmaterial can be dispensed through the closure 10 and through the opening24.

The closure 10 may be reaealed prior to further use by merely rotatingthe lid 14 to its initial position as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings. During such opening and closing, the lips 50 and 52 will snapover one another so as to be disengaged as the lid 14 is opened and soas to be engaged as the lid 14 is closed. Thus, these lips 50 and 52 actessentially as detents because of the inherent resiliency of thematerial used in the closure 10. If desired, they may be considered as ameans for holding the lid 14 in a closed position.

It will be apparent that with the closure 10 the web 34 may be usedinstead of the holes 37 as a frangible member. Normally this web 34should not be weaker or more resistant to breakage than the line definedby the holes 37 in order to obtain a mechanical advantage for many easyopenings of the complete closure 10. It will be apparent that thisclosure 10 is constructed so as to facilitate breakage in the area ofthe holes 37 since these holes are closer to the axis of rotation of thetrunnions 38 than the flange 28.

In FIGS. 6 through 9 of the drawings there is shown another completetamper-proof closure 60 of the present invention. This closure 60includes a closure top 62 and a lid 64, this top 62 corresponding to thetop 12 previously described and this lid' 64 corresponding to the lid 14previously indicated. The

entire closure 60 is preferably formed as an integral structure or unitin the same manner as the closure 10 out of materials such as are usedin the manufacture of the closure 10.

The top 62 includes the dependent skirt 66 which includes an externalannular projection 68. A cavity 70 of an annular ring like form islocated above this projection 68 generally between it, the top 62 and adependent flange 72 carried by the top 62. This cavity 70 is intended tobe used in a conventional manner for use in attaching the closure 60 toa known type of container. Hence, it may be regarded as a means forattaching" the top 62 to a container. Other equivalent means may beemployed.

The top 62 has an enlarged opening 74 located within it concentric withthe skirt 66 so as to be essentially defined by this skirt 66. Withinthis opening 74 there are sloping walls 76 leading to an internalprojecting annular ridge or flange 78. The top 62 also carries anextending flange 86 corresponding to the flange 28 previously described.This flange 86 has a straight edge 88 attached to a corresponding edge90 of a flange 94 of the lid 64 by means of a thin, small flexible wallor web 92. This web 92 is of the same character as the flexible wall 34previously described and in effect forms a part of the flange 86.

The central portion of this lid 64 also carries a dependent skirt 96having an outer wall 97 shaped in a complimentary manner to the walls76. Thus, this skirt includes a peripheral annular groove 98. Thisstructure is designed so that the skirt 96 may be popped" into orsnapped" into place within the opening 74 by temporary deformation ofthe material within the top 62 and the lid 64 so that the flange 78 willfit within the groove 98 and so that the seal will be formed between theexterior of the skirt 96 and the contacted portions of the top 62.

The lid 64 also includes aligned trunnions 100 corresponding to thetrunnions 38 previously described. These trunnions 100 are constructedso that they are capable of being pop ped or snapped into the bearingopenings 86 upon the assembly of the complete closure 60 after it hasbeen molded to a configuration as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawing.During such assembly the lid 64 is rotated with respect to the top 62about the web 92 acting as a pivot until the trunnions 100 are above thebearing openings 84. At this time the trunnions 100 may be pushed intothe bearing openings 84 by the application of pressure, causing atemporary deformation of the bearing structures 82. The lid 64 alsoincludes a back wall 102.

The use of the closure 60 is essentially similar to the use of theclosure 10 previously described. After the closure 60 is assembled asindicated, it is installed on a container in a conventional manner.Thereafter by visual inspection of the web 92 it is possible todetermine that this closure has not been opened. When, however, it isdesired to open this closure, pressure may be applied underneath theflange 86 causing some temporary deformation of this flange. As thisoccurs normally the pressure applied will be sufficient to rupture theweb 92. If however it is desired, the web 92 may be severed bymechanical means such as a knife or a pair of scissors.

Once the web 92 is severed, pressure will be applied to the flange 94and this in turn will be transmitted through the central region of thelid 64. As this occurs the groove 98 will be snapped away from theflange 78 and the entire lid 64 will be rotated to an open position asindicated in FIG. 1. In this position the walls 102 and 80 will abutagainst one another so that the lid 64 will be supported as shown inFIG. 9 in what may be regarded as a slightly over center position inwhich the principal weight of the lid 64 is to the right of an imaginaryline drawn vertically through the axis of rotation of the trunnions 100.This will help maintain the lid 64 in an open position as shown. Ifdesired, other means such as detents may be used for the same purpose.

When the lid 64 is in an open position the entire closure 60 may ofcourse be used to dispense the contents of a container to which it isattached. Whenever desired the closure 60 may be closed by rotating thelid 64 from an open position as shown in FIG. 9 to a closed position asshown in FIG. 7. As the lid 64 assumes this closed position, moderatepressure should be applied so as to bring the skirt 96 into a closed,sealed relationship with the top 62 by snapping the flange 78 into thegroove 98. This flange 78 and the groove 98 thereafter interfit so as tohold the lid 64 with respect to the top 62: Thus they serve as a meansfor holding the lid in a closed position.

I claim:

1. A tamper-proof closure which includes:

an initially integral closure top and closure lid, said top and said lidbeing connected by a web,

said lid, said top and said web being formed of a flexible resilientmaterial,

said web being sufficiently thin so that it can be flexed withoutbreaking in the assembly of such closure, said web being capable ofbeing broken, I said top and said lid being separate and apart except asconnected by said web prior to the assembly of said closure, said topand said lid being capable of being pivoted about said web to anassembled position in which said lid overlies said top during theassembly of said closure, said lid and said top carrying cooperatingbearing means and trunnion means capable of being snapped togetherduring the assembly of said closure,

said bearing means and said trunnion means being located remote fromsaid web and serving to mount said lid on said top when said closure isassembled,

means for attaching said closure to a container formed on said lid,

an opening for use in dispensing material extending through said top,

means on said lid for covering said opening when said closure isassembled,

said closure being capable of being initially opened by breaking saidweb and by pivoting said lid with respect to said top through theoperation of said coacting bearing and trunnion means,

said coacting bearing and trunnion means serving to secure said lid tosaid top after said closure has been initially opened so that said lidcan be rotated between an open position in which said opening isuncovered and a closed position in which said opening is covered.

2. A tamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 1 including:

interlocking means on said lid and said top for holding said lid in saidclosed position, said interlocking means being capable of releasing saidlid so as to permit said lid to be rotated to said open position.

3. A tamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said interlocking means comprise interengageable lips on said top andsaid lid, said lips being capable of being snapped together and capableof being snapped apart.

4. A tamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said interlocking means comprise an interfltting groove and a flange,said groove and said flange being capable of being snapped together andbeing capable of being snapped apart.

5. A tamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said trunnion means are located on said lid and said bearing means arelocated on said top.

6. A tamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said means onsaid lid for covering said opening serves to seal said opening when saidlid is in said closed position.

7. A tamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 1 including:

interlocking means on said lid and said top for holding said lid in saidclosed position, said interlocking means being capable of releasing saidlid so as to permit said lid to be rotated to said open position, andwherein said trunnion means are located on said lid and said bearingmeans are located on said top, said means on said lid for covering saidopening serves to seal said opening when said lid is in said closedposition.

1. A tamper-proof closure which includes: an initially integral closuretop and closure lid, said top and said lid being connected by a web,said lid, said top and said web being formed of a flexible resilientmaterial, said web being sufficiently thin so that it can be flexedwithout breaking in the assembly of such closure, said web being capableof being broken, said top and said lid being separate and apart exceptas connected by said web prior to the assembly of said closure, said topand said lid being capable of being pivoted about said web to anassembled position in which said lid overlies said top during theassembly of said closure, said lid and said top carrying cooperatingbearing means and trunnion means capable of being snapped togetherduring the assembly of said closure, said bearing means and saidtrunnion means being located remote from said web and serving to mountsaid lid on said top when said closure is assembled, means for attachingsaid closure to a container formed on said lid, an opening for use indispensing material extending through said top, means on said lid forcovering said opening when said closure is assembled, said closure beingcapable of being initially opened by breaking said web and by pivotingsaid lid with respect to said top through the operation of said coactingbearing and trunnion means, said coacting bearing and trunnion meansserving to secure said lid to said top after said closure has beeninitially opened so that said lid can be rotated between an openposition in which said opening is uncovered and a closed position inwhich said opening is covered.
 2. A tamper-proof closure as claimed inclaim 1 including: interlocking means on said lid and said top forholding said lid in said closed position, said interlocking means beingcapable of releasing said lid so as to permit said lid to be rotated tosaid open position.
 3. A tamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 2wherein: said interlocking means comprise interengageable lips on saidtop and said lid, said lips being capable of being snapped together andcapable of being snapped apart.
 4. A tamper-proof closure as claimed inclaim 2 wherein: said interlocking means comprise an interfitting grooveand a flange, said groove and said flange being capable of being snappedtogether and being capable of being snapped apart.
 5. A tamper-proofclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said trunnion means are locatedon said lid and said bearing means are located on said top.
 6. Atamper-proof closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said means on saidlid for covering said opening serves to seal said opening when said lidis in said closed position.
 7. A tamper-proof closure as claimed inclaim 1 including: interlocking means on said lid and said top forholding said lid in said closed position, said interlocking means beingcapable of releasing said lid so as to permit said lid to be rotated tosaid open position, and wherein said trunnion means are located on saidlid and said bearing means are located on said top, said means on saidlid for covering said opening serves to seal said opening when said lidis in said closed position.